Public Workshops on Captive Wildlife Regulations

Upcoming Public Workshops on Captive Wildlife Regulations 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Division of Law Enforcement announces the following public workshops regarding captive wildlife regulations.  We will be addressing definitions, appropriate facility locations for Class I and II wildlife and enhanced reptile regulations.  Please see below for the specific rules to be addressed.

• Dates and Times

• Memorandum from Col. Julie Jones

• Draft Captive Wildlife Regulations under consideration

DATES AND TIMES:

MEMORANDUM 
TO:              Exhibition/Sale, Personal Pet and Venomous Reptile Licensees
FROM:         Colonel Julie Jones
                    Director, Division of Law Enforcement 
SUBJECT:    Captive Wildlife Regulations

FWC SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE RULE PROPOSALS

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has scheduled public workshops throughout the state to receive input on proposed captive wildlife regulations.  The purpose of this rule development initiative is to address regulations regarding the possession and housing of captive wildlife and reptiles.   

The proposed rules will provide clarification regarding permitting requirements; facility and land area requirements for Class I and II wildlife; standard caging requirements for reptiles; record keeping and reporting requirements for the possession of captive wildlife, venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern; and the permanent identification of non-native venomous reptiles and reptiles of concern.  Copies of the proposed rule drafts are available online at www.myfwc.com, or by calling (850) 488-6253.   A synopsis of the proposed rule changes include: 

• Establishes a definition for: “captive wildlife,” “critical incident,” “natural disaster,” “reptiles of concern,” and “venomous reptiles.” 

• Requires safety entrances for enclosures housing capuchin, spider and woolly monkeys. p;
  

• Addresses minimum land-area requirements and facility requirements for new facilities housing Class I or Class II wildlife. 
  

• Requires the development of a Natural Disaster Plan or Critical Incident Plan for all permittees authorized to possess captive wildlife, venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern. 

• Consolidates and clarifies caging requirements for reptiles. 

• Establishes minimum caging requirements for large constrictor snakes. 

• Consolidates regulations pertaining to the possession and housing of venomous reptiles in captivity and places them with other regulations pertaining to captive wildlife found in Rule 68A-6, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). 

• Incorporates portions of Rules 68A-25.002 and 68A-25.006, F.A.C., pertaining to the possession and housing of venomous reptiles in captivity, into proposed Rule 68A-6.007, F.A.C., addressing the possession, exhibition, and caging of venomous reptiles, reptiles of concern, and prohibited species. 

• Designates the reptiles to be regulated as “Reptiles of Concern.” 

• Requires the development and posting of Bite Protocol and Cage Card Identification at venomous reptile facilities. 

• Establishes record-keeping and reporting requirements for dealers of live venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern. 

• Requires the permanent marking/identification of non-indigenous venomous reptiles and reptiles of concern. 

• Requires the reporting within 24 hours of discovery of the escape of any non-native venomous reptile or reptile of concern. 

  It is the goal of the FWC to develop and maintain the best regulations possible that provide for public safety, animal welfare and the legitimate use of wildlife for personal, educational or exhibition purposes.  To this end, we request your assistance and support in attaining this goal.  

  FWC appreciates your interest in Florida’s captive wildlife and encourages interested persons to participate in the public workshops and/or provide written comment during this process.  Written comment should be provided to the

  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  Division of Law Enforcement
  Investigations Section
  Attention: Ms. Precious Boatwright     
  620 South Meridian Street
  Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600. 

  The deadline for submission of written comments is September 13, 2006. 

  Anyone attending the public workshops and requiring special accommodations to participate in the workshop should call Cindy Hoffman at (850) 488-6411 at least five calendar days before the workshop.  Hearing- or speech-impaired persons should call (850) 488-9542 to arrange assistance.
  
  Draft Captive Wildlife Regulations under consideration

68A-1.004	Definitions
68A-6.0022	Possession of Class I, II, or III Wildlife in Captivity; Permit Requirements.
68A-6.003	Facility and Structural Caging Requirement for Class I, II and III Wildlife.
68A-6.004.	Standard Caging Requirements for Captive Wildlife.
NEW 68A-6.0072	Regulations Governing Identification of Non-Native Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern; Escape.
68A-25.002	General Provisions for Taking, Possession and Sale of Reptiles.
68A-25.006	Possession, Exhibition and Caging Venomous Reptiles: Prohibited Species.
NEW 68A-6.007	Possession, Transportation, Exhibition and Caging Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern; Prohibited Reptile Species.
NEW 68A-6.0071	Regulations Governing Dealers of Live Venomous Reptiles or Reptiles of Concern; Reporting Requirements.